Katherine Greenwood: The Hidden World #7

Instructions

Katherine's POV: I gripped the handle of the trolley and looked down at the floor. I didn't know what to do. My eyes began to sting, and I felt myself getting more and more upset. I had been so excited about finally going to Hogwarts, and now I couldn't even find the platform. I tried to take a deep breath, but it didn't help much. I was standing there alone, surrounded by people, with all of my belongings piled onto a trolley and my snowy owl quietly waiting beside me. I wished more than anything that Mum or Dad were still there. Then I heard voices approaching. "Come on, kids. Stay together." I looked up. A group of adults was walking toward the platforms with several children. One of the women noticed me first. She slowed down and looked at me with a concerned expression. "Are you all right?" she asked kindly. I opened my mouth, but for a moment, I couldn't speak. I looked down at my trolley. "I... I can't find the platform." The woman glanced at the ticket in my hand. "Which platform are you looking for?" I held it out nervously. "Nine and three-quarters." The man standing beside her smiled gently. "Ah. Hogwarts?" I nodded. "Yes." "Don't worry," he said. "We can help you." The woman smiled at me. "I'm Hermione." She gestured toward the man beside her. "This is my husband, Ron." Ron gave me a friendly wave. "Hello." Another woman stepped forward with a warm smile. "I'm Ginny." She pointed toward the man beside her. "And this is Harry." I looked at them, trying to remember all the names. "I'm Katherine," I said quietly. "Katherine Greenwood." Harry smiled. "Nice to meet you, Katherine." Hermione glanced at my luggage. "Is this everything you're taking with you?" I nodded. "Yes." "All right," she said. "We'll help you get it through." I looked at her uncertainly. "Through what?" Ron smiled. "You'll see." They helped me move my trolley closer to the barrier between Platforms Nine and Ten. I stared at the solid-looking wall in front of me. "I don't understand," I whispered. Hermione smiled reassuringly. "You just need to go through." I looked at the wall and then back at her. "Through it?" "Yes." I wasn't sure I believed her, but everyone seemed completely calm. Harry helped guide my trolley while Hermione stayed beside me. "Ready?" she asked. I took a nervous breath and nodded. A moment later, I found myself moving forward, and instead of hitting a wall, I passed straight through it. I gasped. Suddenly, the noise of the ordinary station disappeared behind me. I was standing on a completely different platform. A scarlet-red train waited beside the platform, and steam curled into the air around it. There were witches and wizards everywhere, along with children carrying trunks and cages. I stared at everything in amazement. "This is..." I whispered. "Platform Nine and Three-Quarters," Harry said. I looked back at the four adults who had helped me. "Thank you." Hermione smiled. "You're very welcome." Ron looked at my owl's carrier. "Nice owl." I smiled a little. "Thank you. I haven't named her yet." Ginny laughed softly. "I'm sure you'll think of something." I looked around at the families saying goodbye to one another. Everyone seemed to know exactly what they were doing. I still felt nervous, but at least I wasn't lost anymore. Harry noticed that I was still holding my ticket tightly. "First time going to Hogwarts?" he asked. I nodded. "Yes. I've never been anywhere like this before." Hermione smiled. "It can be overwhelming the first time." "I don't know much about magic," I admitted quietly. "My family doesn't either." "That's all right," Hermione said. "You'll learn." I smiled slightly. That was something I had heard before. Hagrid had said it, too. Ron looked toward the train. "We should probably let her get settled." Harry nodded. "Of course." Hermione gave me another kind smile. "Make sure you keep your ticket somewhere safe, and don't worry if everything seems confusing at first." I nodded. "Thank you for helping me." "Anytime," Harry said. Ginny smiled at me. "Good luck, Katherine." I watched as they turned to join their children, and I felt a little less frightened than I had a few minutes before. I looked at the Hogwarts Express and then down at my trolley. I was still nervous. I still had hundreds of questions. But now I knew where I needed to go. I took a deep breath, wrapped my hands around the trolley, and started toward the train. For the first time, Hogwarts didn't feel like something that was far away anymore. It was waiting for me just ahead.